Deacon Arturo "Art" F. Rodriguez

BROWNSVILLE, TX. – Deacon Arturo “Art” F. Rodriguez, 78, of Brownsville, Texas died peacefully of natural causes on Tuesday, the 8th of October 2024. 

Deacon Rodriguez was born on June 27, 1946 in Brownsville, Texas to Jose Rodriguez and Francisca Flores. He graduated from Brownsville High School in 1966. 

He was an Army Seargent drafted May 1966 to serve in the Vietnam War and was honorably discharged on October 1972. While in the service, Art received the Army Comendation Medal Award in addition to several other medals. After the military service, he began his preparation for the deaconate. He became a deacon and served at Immaculate Conception Cathedral for 30 years. He was a member of the lay Franciscan Order of the Diocese of Brownsville and received numerous awards and recognitions for his service to the community. 

He enjoyed singing and playing his beautiful guitar, reading, charcoal drawing, oil painting and fishing. Art was always ready to respond with his quick wit, even when he was feeling his worst, he would not lose his sense of humor. But mostly, he is remembered as a compassionate, kindhearted, and humble man with a deep devotion to Christ and a deep love for our blessed Mother Mary.

Preceding Art in death are his parents, Jose Rodriguez and Francisca Flores Rodriguez: step-mother, Maria Luisa Rodriguez;  grandchildren, Alison, Madelyn Nichole, Eden, Charlie, and Michael Rodriguez; and his siblings, Juanito Rodriguez, Desiderio Rodriguez, Rosa Bettaglia, and Mary Garcia.

Art is survived by his loving and devoted wife Sara I. Rodriguez; his daughter, Ana Lorelly Gonzalez (Felix), and his son, Edoardo Rodriguez (Erika); his granddaughter, Emma Isabella Rodriguez; and his siblings Jose Rodriguez (Mary), Luis Rodriguez (Bicky), Magdalena Marquez (Richard), Alberto Rodriguez (Mary Alice), Noe Rodriguez (Angeles), and Teresa M. Rodriguez. In addition to numerous nephews, nieces and extended family members.

Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, the 10th of October 2024 between the hours of three o'clock in the afternoon and nine o'clock at night, with the recitation of the holy rosary to begin at seven o'clock Thursday evening within the East Chapel of Darling-Mouser Funeral Home. 

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at nine o’clock in the morning on Friday, the 11th of October 2024 at the historic Immaculate Conception Cathedral, 1218 E. Jefferson Street, Brownsville. Interment with military honors will then follow at one o'clock in the afternoon at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery, 2520 Inspiration Road, Mission.

Memories of Deacon Rodriguez may be shared at www.darlingmouser.com.

Personalized funeral arrangements directed by Steven R. Hieu Bailey and Staff have been entrusted to the care of Darling-Mouser Funeral Home at 945 Palm Boulevard in Brownsville, Texas 78520, (956) 546-7111.

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